Cell case machine



April 22,' 1952 Filed Feb. l5, 1946 D. R. VAlL. ET AL CELL CASE MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet l :NvENToRs OAN/EL if'. VAN.. /qmr ALM- LUCA ATTORNEYS April 22, 1952 Filed Feb. 15,' 1946 D. R. VAlL ET AL CELL CASE MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 5% MFM ATTORNEYS D. R. VAlL ET AL CELL. CASE MACHINE April 22, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. l5, 1946 INVENToRs 0A N/ .EL A? VA /L 43055,?? A. OEL UCA. idw/MWL ATTORNEYS April 22, 1952 D. R. vAll. ET AL CELL. CASE MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. l5, 1946 5L R/ mm N w@ 2 IZA .rm vw MW @M .MM Il o on DEQ/CA By Q l M71 (l @MATTQRNEYS April 22, 1952 D. R. vAll. ET AL CELL CASE MACHINE Filed Feb.v l5, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 22, 1952 Filed Feb. l5, 1946 D. R. VAlL ET AL CELL CASE MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Byhf/wffw/ MM ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 22, 1952 CELL CASE MACHINE Daniel Vail, Brookline, and Robert A. De Luca, Boston, Mass., assignors to Henry C. IIiuttle, os'ton, Mass., as trustee Application February 15, 1946, Serial No. 647,747

16 Claims.

This invention relates to cell case machines and the object is to provide an improved machine for assembling in lattice form slotted partition strips to form an inset for a container which will divide it into compartments for reception of individual bottles, etc. Such inserts or cells characteristically consist of a number of parallel strips slotted part-Way through from one edge which are interlocked in a halving joint with relatively perpendicular strips slotted from the opposite edge. It will be convenient to term one set of strips longitudinals and the others transversalsf although the distinction is arbitrary. While not limited thereto, the machine is particularly adapted to handle preformed partition strips cut from relatively rigid and thick material, such as faced corrugated board. Such strips have hitherto usually been assembled by va hand operation.

Our invention will be Well understood by reference to the following description of the illustrative embodiment thereof shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete machine and on account of its necessarily small scale is'l presented here chiefly as a frame of reference to show the relation of parts illustrated in the other gures. The machine is shown empty.

2 is a plan view of the magazine for the longitudinals which appears in Fig. 1 toward the left of that figure;

Fig. 3 is a partial section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; i

Figs. i and 5 are longitudinal sections through the magazine and the adjacent parts of the assembly table illustrating different positions of the parts during the operation of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary end elevation of Fig. 4 as seen from the left in that ligure;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end elevation of a portion of the magazine as seen from the right in Fig.` 4 at about the middle of that figure;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view on a smaller scale of a pawl-carrying carriage. 4 In relation to Eg.

'"l.- the carriage is shown as if it were removed from its position in Fig. 1 and swung substantially 180 in its plane, the nearer or left-hand end of the frame in Fig. 8 being the right-hand end in Fig. l.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view ofA one ofv the pawls and its housing;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view showing the driving arrangements for mechanisms which select the longitudinals from the supply and, advance them to the point of assembly;

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are sections on spondingly numbered lines of Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is a plan on a smaller scale of a portion of the mechanism which appears at the upper right-hand portion of Fig. 10; i

Fig. 15 is a partial longitudinal section showing the mechanism for handling the transversals and assembling them with the longitudinals;

Fig. 16 is a partial plan view of the same with parts broken away; y

Fig. 17 is an isometric view of the magazine for the transversals as viewed from the left in Figs. and 16; Q

Fig. 18 is a s ection on an enlarged scale on the line I-IB of Fig. 16 With parts broken away;

Fig. 19 is "a fragmentary side elevation as viewed from the right of Fig. 18; and

Fig. 20 is a wiring diagram.

It will probably facilitate understanding of the machine iirst to outline in a Very general way the various cooperating mechanisms thereof and their relation one with another, referring more particularly to Fig. l. The machine shown embodies a table 3U over which a rank of longithe corre? v tudinals l are advanced to a point where transversals t are assembled therewith.` The Word rank is used as in the phrase rank and le" and denotes a series of longitudinals in parallel side by side relation in the spacing which they occupy in the completed cell case. Thelongitudinals move over the table along guideways provided by upstanding walls 32 (see also Figs. 4 and 5) which may be compared to a pair of closely opposed rail fences .which maintain the strips vertical with their slots pointing upwardly and in their proper spaced relation while offering little or no impediment to their forward movement. Provision may be made for adjusting the spacing of these guideways but it has been considered unnecessary to illustrate this in detail. The strips are advanced step by step over the table, the length of the steps correspending to the spacing of the slots therein.

Additional ranks of strips are drawn from a magazine 34, as seen at the left in Fig. 1, wherein the strips are stored in a transversely extending stack or column and from which strips in the planes of guideways 32 and having the desired spacing to form a rank are moved from the left of the iigure onto the surface of the table. The

mechanism for extracting the strips and for advaricing them over the surface of the table may -be a unitary one supported on the overhanging frame 3B.

At the right` of the table the sub-frame 38 supports a mechanism which takes transverse strips from a magazine di), wherein they are stored with their slots presented downward, and inserts them in the upwardly presented aligned slots of the longitudinals in the positions of rest between the step by step advancing movements of the latter.` Provision is also made, as will appear, for intermitting the action of this mechanism when the joints between successive longitudinals, which, as alreadi7 stated, are traversing the table in end to end abutting relation, pass the assembly point.

The machine illustrated is adapted to form a case comprising a rank of three longitudinals each with ve slots in which are inserted iive transversals. Adjustments are provided for handling cases of various sizes, as will be mentioned from time to time in the description or will be apparent from the drawings themselves. We have not'considered it necessary verbally to describe the adjustments in detail.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 8, 9

and lgwe will now describe the mechanism Which advances the strips over the table and those parts unitary therewith which constitute a part of the mechanism for extracting a rank of longitudinals from the 'column thereofY stored in the magazine 34; As already stated, this mechanism `is organized onV an overhanging frame 38 opposing the table and which may be vertically adjusted to accommodate strips of dilerent.

heights'as by means of the hoisting device d2 unnecessary to illustrate in detail. The sides of the frame 36 provide guideways in which slide the side members of a pawl-carrying frame lid shown detachedv in Fig. 8. These side members are bridged by vtransverse bars 88 on which are mounted by means of the threaded stems 48 (see Fig. 9)A boxes 5t traversed by pivot pins 5I on which are pivoted pawls or feed iingers having depending noses 52 and shoulders 5t which are adapted to make contact with the walls of the boxes so that, viewing Figs. 4 and 5, the portions 52 mayr not swing clockwiselbeyond the vertical positions-.therein illustrated so that when they venter the slots in longitudinale Z they will, when the frame moves toward the right in Figs. 4 and 5, feed the longitudinals. On the other hand, when the frame moves toward the left, the pawls may rock and slide over the top edges of the longitudinal strips. The pawls which are seen at the right in Figs. 1, 4 and 5 may be said to oppose the table 30 and their principal function is toV feed therealong strips supported on the top of the .table,rwhereas the pawls shown at the left are considerably on the intake side of the table, oppose the magazine 34 and serve to separate strips from the column in the magazine and transfer them therefrom to the table as will more fullybe described hereinafter. As seen in Figs. 8 and 9, the stems 48 of the laterally disposed boxes are received in slots in bars 4E, thus providing for adjustment of the lateral spacing ofY the :pawls to correspond to the desired spacing of the longitudinals of the cell case.

'I'he stroke of the pawls is equivalent to the spacing of the slots in the longitudinals and comprises a power stroke toward the right in Fig. l which feeds the longitudinals and a spring-operated return to initial position. The power stroke (see Figs. and 14) is effected by the energzation of a power solenoid SI, the core of which, as seen in Fig. 14, is connected to a crosshead 56 by which is carried for reciprocation longitudinally of the machine bars 58 which are returned by means of springs when the solenoid is deenergized. It will ybe understood that the construction just described and shown'in Figs. 10 and 14 is duplicated at the two sides of the machine. The bars 58 are connected to ears 62 on the pawl-carrying frame 88 by levers 64 pivoted at so that the solenoid and the cooperating springs {Si} effects reciprocation of the frame it and of the feed ngers or pawls carried thereby. The pivot 66 may be adjusted and is here shown as carried on an arm `68 which will be moved along a screw I8 when the latter is rotated through the bevel gearing 72, the shaft 1d of the vertical bevel gear shown in Fig. 2 (see Fig. 13) being rotatable by the application of a suitable tool at the exterior of the machine. A shock absorber SAI may be connected to bar 53 to control t'ne motion at the completion of the power stroke.

There will next be described the construction of the magazine 34 for thel longitudinals, which magazine is located at the left in Fig. 1 and reference will be made more particularly to Fig. 2. The magazine comprises two transversely extending angle members 80 and 82, the concavities of which face upwardly and toward one another (see Figs. 4 and 5), the forward member 80 being supported on the longitudinal frame members 84 which extend adjacent the sides of table 38 and the other member 82 being a portion of a unit which is slidably adjustable along these frame members 84 toward and from the frame 80 byrneans of the adjusting screw 86, thus pro viding for a variation of the longitudinal dimension of the magazine to accommodate different lengths of partition strips which are adapted, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, to rest on the horizontal anges of the members 80 and 82 and between the vertical flanges thereof, the supply of strips in the magazine forming a stack or column which extends transversely of the machine or from bottom to top of Fig. 2. As appears from Figs. 4 and 5, strips carried in the magazine will be supported at an elevation slightly below the top of table 38 and the left-hand pawls 52 of the feed frame will, while the strips are in this position, vibrate idly above the tops of the strips. At suitable intervals strips are raised into the path of the pawls to be engaged thereby and to be eX- tracted from their position in the column or stack for transfer to the feed table. The exact sequence of operations will be more fully described hereinafter but the mechanism utilized may here be described with reference particularly to Figs; 3, 4 and 5. Slidably mountedV for vertical movement in depending webs 88 below the magazine (Fig. 3) are transverse rods 90 which carry pusher fingers 92 adjustably mounted along the rods to correspond to the desired spacing of a rank of longitudinals. Depending arms 94 from these rods carry cam followers cooperating with cams 96. When the followers ride on the rises of the cams, as seen in Fig. 5, the pusher fingers 92 engage those strips in the column which overlie the same and raise them from the position of Fig. 4 to the position of Fig. 5 and in the latter position the upper edges of the strips are in the paths of the pawls 52 which vibrate above the magazine so that the pawls may enter the slots in the top edges of the longitudinals l, as shown in Fig. 4, and feed toward the right in Figs. 4 and 5 from between the other elements in the column and out of the magazine for transfer to the table 30 those strips the positions of which correspond to the spacing ei: the. reak. When this trensferfhas been ei:- ifeeted in the. manner` hereinafter described. the lingers 92 drente the positionering. 4 and after the strip, such` as that shown in the middle of Fig. 1. nasmade one moresten toward the righi thati figure, the column in the magazine is free to be closed up and another ,setl orrank of longitudinais may be selectedV therefrom on the next. cycley moving from. the same absolute positions; transversely of the machine, as the previous rank or. set.`

To, insure that only the desired strips properly spaced toform a rank are moved from the magazine, there maybe adjustably secured to the forward. wall of the member 80 stops or guards |00 having upwardly extending portions and iniumedf portions |02 overlying the tens, ei the stripe. eff the magazine, both portiere beine nre# v -ided with. a slot` 104 which permits the right-n hand end of the selected strip to be raised therethrough. by operation of the fingers 92 and the strip to bel fed forwardly, viewing Fig. 7, or to the: right, viewing Figs. 2 and 4, out from the magazine and` to the table 30 while adjacent strips.y which might tend to move therewith by l.

friction are restrained by contact with the stops 00. On the rear member 82 there are adjustably mounted fingers IGS overhanging the rear corners` of the strips (see Figs. 2 and 6) and having slots Hi8 which similarlyselectively per ,-5

mit the vertical movement of the left-hand ends of the selected strips to be raised by the movement of the ngers 92.

To insure the closing up of the column along its altitude which extends transversely of the machine, there may be provided at the intake end of the magazine (lower side, Fig. 2) feed belts., H0 which maybe driven (see Fig. l) from a` rotary electric motor M` by means not necessary to describe in detail. One run of each belt extends through the verticalr flangeof the guides 80 and 82 and moves upwardly, viewing Fig. 2, making frictional` Contact with the end edges of theA strips. and maintaining them in a closely arranged column or stack in the magazine and .g

causing the stack to close up when a set of longitudinals has been withdrawn from spaced positions therealong. To insure the effectiveness of this closing-up action there maybe provided at the further end of the magazine and preferably at the forward corner a feeler H2 which is normally depressed by the pressure of the strips in the magazine, but when not pushed backwardly bylthe'strips will be released as by means of a spring l I4 (see Fig. 20) to open a control switch IIB or operate some similar mechanism which will interrupt the operation of the machine and permit the jam which may have oceurred to be cleared. Thus, viewing Fig. 20, it is apparent that the switch H6 is in the main line on the positive side of the wiring system and the opening of the switch will cutoff the supply of power to the machine.

The cams 96 (see Fig. l0) are driven in timed relation to the vibrations of the feeding frame 44 and are herein shown as taking their motion from the solenoid driven bar 58 which on the power stroke of the solenoid operates pawl lever Il'l driving ratchet wheel IIB which through the bevel gearing fully illustrated in Figs. 10, 11 and 12 and unnecessary here to describe in detail intermittently turns the cams. In the arrangement shown the cams make one revolution for each four strips handled by the pawls 52 and therefore they have four lobes as shown. The

parvis., melee, ein; strokes fer-- eeeh. strip, exis the fingersi12-@reus fes eiii' er these streitet. and down for two of them.

Referring nowV to Figs. 4r and 55, the manner` in which successive ranks of longitudinals are withdrawn in their properspaced relation from. the solid'column. or stack in the magazinetransferred tothe table 30 and advanced over the table to the assembly point in end-abutting relation,` as seen in those figures and in Fig. 15, will nowbe described. y

Referring to Fig. 5 let us consider-'the strip shown at the left, disregarding the others. 'lhe cams 9 6 have raised this strip Z through slot |08 and the horizontal portionv of slot |041 (Fig.l 2) so that its upper edge is in the pathy of the lefthand pawl 52 which enters the second slot therein, as shown in Fig. 5, wherein the pawl is in its extreme leiifhand position- The solenoid-ie enereized and the Strip nieves through the slet |04 (Figi '7),l to the, right partly out of its position in theY stack for a distance corresponding to the spacing of the slots. On the next stroke the lefthand pawl will enwge the third slot in the card, and at the end ofthe third stroke the strip will have been so far advanced that its forward edge is supported on the table 30 and the pawl 52 at the right will engage the rst slot. Although at this point both pawls have a feeding action, it might be said that the right-hand pawl has-:now taken` over the feeding function. On the fifth stroke the left-hand pawl will engage behind the edge of the strip and the two pawls will move it to the position of the middle strip shown4 in Fig. il. The fingers 92 then drop but the strip is supported by the table and by the forward-wall 00 Aof the magazine inthe path ofthe rightfhand paw-1 4which continues to feed it, On the next stroke succeedingFig. 4 the strip-now in the pesition of the middle one in that figure will be completely withdrawn from the magazine and permit the, column of strips in the magazine to be. closed up, urged thereto` by the belts H0. During this time the left-hand pawl 52 is idling above the strips, but afterthe middle strip, viewing Fig. 4, has been withdrawn, on the completion of the power4 stroke following the position of Fig; 4 the cams will elevate the left-hand strip to the position of Fig. 5, permitting the left-hand pawls to enter the second slots therein and begin the eX- traetion of another rank of strips which are advanced as seen in Fig- 5 in end-abutted relation with those of the previous rank.

After the flow of strips in end-abutted files or lines has been thus established, there will come a time when on the second stroke following the position of Fig. 5 the right-hand pawl will be presented at the joint between two successive l strips of the fileas illustrated in that figure. It

will not then swingcounterclockwise to the vertical position shown but will remain with its nose portion resting on the top edges ofthe strips and the feed or the wading strip will be by. the push ofthe fol-lowing strip which will then be engaged bty'the left-hand pawl in the fourth slot ofl the s rip.

Referring now to Fig. 15, the ranks of longitudinalsl are advanced step by step over the table 30 and at intervals oftheir forward movement come to rest with successive ranks of aligned slots at an assemblyy point underneath an inserting plunger or ram |'20 which strips transversale one byv one from a stock or supply thereof and drives the downwardly presented slots thereof into engaging relation with the up- =wardly presented slots of the longitudinals. The

stack of transversals t is supported in the magazine 40 and may bev advanced therein (toward the left in Figs. 1 and 15) by suitable means such as belts |2| similar to the belts H0 and driven by rotary electric motor M2 and which it is considered unnecessary here to illustrate in detail.

ustack is just beyond the edge of the bottom of the magazine, the mutual pressure of the elements being sufficient to keep it from casually dropping from its place in the stack'but leavlng-it free to be stripped therefrom by the plunger |20 Aand assembled with the longitudinals.

y The plunger |20 is herein shown as a, unit of box-like form opposing the middles of the ttransversale t and carried by a vertical slide |26,

the edges of which are guided in upright frame elements |28 of sub-frame 38. The downward 'or inserting stroke of the sli and plunger is effected by energization of the solenoid S2 and the return is by a spring. The core of the solenoid is here shown connected to a lever |30 swinging on shaft |34 (Fig. 18), the other end of the lever being connected to the slide |26 herein with provision for vadjustment by means of Vadjusting screw |36. The hub of lever |30 (see Fig. 18)

`carries the spool-like elements |38 which house V:torsion springs |40, one end of each spring being anchored to the hub and the other being con- .nected to shaft 34. These springs rock lever |30 counterclockwise, viewing Fig. 15, when the solenoid is deenergized and return the plunger to elevated position. The tension of the springs may be adjusted by means of arm |4| secured on shaft |34 and positioned by adjusting screw |42 (Fig. 19). `A shock absorber SA2 may be connected to link |30 by linkwork i1| to cushion the plunger as it 'completes its stroke.

The general timing of the operations of the machine A may be described as follows. The solenoid SI is energized, advancing the strips across the table and past the assembly point below the plunger |20 a distance equal to that between slots of the strips. The solenoid S2 is energized, causing a transversal to be inserted in the aligned slots of the longitudinals at the as- -sembly point, the plunger |20 then retreats and another feed operation occurs. However, at those points when, instead of a rank of aligned slots, the abutting ends of two successive ranks of longitudinals are at the assembly point, means are provided for intermitting the operation of the plunger |20. That is, the solenoid S2 is not energized at this time. However, the regular periodical energization of solenoid Si continues. Otherwise described, we might say that there is a regular series of operations foreach cell case which begins and ends with a feed stroke effected by the power of the solenoid S| and within which series the strokes of the pawl-carrying frame and of the plunger |20 under the actuation of solenoids SI and S2 respectively alternate.

The method of effecting this general operation may be described in connection with the wiring diagram (Fig. 20), but before proceeding to deinarily referred to. Thus, referring to the left of 'the figure, there is there shown an extension of the bar 58 which is reciprocated by the solenoid Sl and by the return spring 60, which extension has two depending iingers |50 and |52. When the bar moves to the left in the figure, the nger |50 will strike finger |54 projecting upwardly from a sliding rod |56 which is normally drawn to the right by a spring |58 and the finger |60 on this rod will make contact with switch lever |62 to move it counterclockwise, viewing the gure. When the rod is moved to this position, a shoulder |64 thereon is moved past a shoulder on a spring |66 which lsnaps up behind shoulder |64 so that the rod is locked in this left-hand position. Spring |66 has a tail |68 extending into the path of projection |52 on rod 58 and when the spring 60 returns bar 58 to its extreme right-hand position, that is, when the pawl-carrying frame 43 has gone back on its idle stroke to its extreme left-hand position, the iinger |52 pressing against the arm |68 of the spring from the left will iiex the same, releasing the shoulder |64 and permitting spring |58 to retract rod |56 to the position illustrated.

Referring nowrto thel right-hand side of Fig. 20, a rod |10 extends from the'shock absorber SA2 and receives reciprocating motion coordinated with that of the plunger and of the core of solenoid S2 by the linkwork |1| connected to lever arm |30 by a lost motion connection as shown which is effective to move rod |10 quickly to the left as the plunger completes its up stroke. A ringer |12 at the extreme end of this rod will. when the rocl moves to the right, rock switch lever |14 clockwise while two spaced ngers |15 lying at opposite sides of switch lever |16 will rock it clockwise when the rod |10 moves to the right, that is, when the plunger |20 goes down, and will roc-k it counterclockwise when the rod moves to the left, that is, when the plunger has risen again under the action of the springs |40.-

Considering now the wiring, the switch ||6 has already been described, it being in the main line and controlling the supply of current to the entire system mentioned, and it need not herein be referred to although it forms a part of all the circuits which will be described. In tracing these circuits, they may conveniently be traced from the negative side of switch I6.V

In Fig. 20 the position ofthe parts is that in which the plunger |20 is down, the solenoid S2 has been deenergized but the plunger has not yet been returned to elevated position by the springs |40 while the bar 58 controlling the feed frame 4i is just about to commence its stroke under power, the bar 58 moving to the left and the frame to the right. Solenoid Si is yenergized through switch lever |62 cooperating with contact |80, the current going from the solenoid coil direct to the negative side of the line. During the power stroke of solenoid Sl springs |42y have raised the plunger |20 and moved rod |10 to the left from the position shown, releasing switch lever |14 and closing switch lever |16 on contact |82. In parallel with the solenoid coil SI in a circuit traced through contact 35 is the coil of a switch-operating magnet |34 which when energized rocks switch lever 14 counterclockwise from the position illustrated in Fig. 20 if permitted to do so by the movement ci nger |12 of rod 10. Therefore, when the plunger |20 has returned toits elevated position, the circuit will be closedat |16 and |82 by the action of the right-hand one of the two fingers |15 and switch lever |14 will have been released and separated fl'itm contact ISS by the energie/ation of magnet ri the completion of 'the power stroke of the solenoid S1 finger |60 moves lever |62 from contact |80, deenergizing the solenoid but closing Alever |62 against contact |90 and thus closing a circuit for solenoid S2 as follows: through switch lever |62 and contact |96, switch lever H6 and contact |82 `(which latter are in closed position by virtue 'of the upward movement of the plunger which lhas resulted in movement to the left of rod switch |92 closing against contact |54,

to the solenoid and thence to the negative side of the line. The energization of solenoid S2 forces ram |2`|i down, the corresponding movement of to the right breaks 'the energizing circuit at |16-'|82, releasing the ram at the conclusion of its `down stroke to be returned by springs its. This movement of the rod also closes switch lever |14 against vcontact |86 which permits current to flow to magnet |96. Then, if the idle stroke of feed bar 58 under the influence of spring 68 has been 'completed causing the latch |65 to be released and linger l to move away from switch lever |62, the magnet |96 will rock switch lever |62 `away from contact |90, closing it against I 8o and beginning the cycle again by energizing solenoid SI. In this normal operation of the parts when slots of the longitudinals are presented at the assembly point, it will be noted that the oircuit of solenoid S2 is through the switch lever lili? and contact |94. The reciprocating movements of bar 458 rock a pawl lever |98 cooperating with a ratchet wheel 200 to turn a `cam 202 which moves against its spring a rod Zilli to throw switch lever |92 to the right. breaking the Acircuit at lo!! but closing it against contact 206i, this occurring periodically at the times when the abutting ends of two stripsare at the assembly point beneath the ram. The solenoid S2 is therefore not energized and no transversal is fed from the magazine at this point. However, the movement of switch lever |92 to contact 206 closes a circuit to the coil of magnet |96 so that the circuit of the solenoid SI will be closed at |89 as before and the feed frame will make two successive strokes without any intervening stroke of the plunger |29.

If the plunger |26 returns to its starting posi tion before the conclusion of the power stroke or feed stroke of bar 58, that is, before the pawls have completely advanced the next empty rank of slots in the longitudinale to the assembly point, 'Y it remains in that position until the circuit is closed at the point 'I 9o. If 'the feed bar 58 returns to its starting position before the plunger has completed its power stroke and completed the insertion of the transversale in the slots, it remains lin that position until the closing of the circuit at |86 by the action of the linger |12 mechanically effective when the plunger reaches its lowest posi-tion. If the magnet |96 should be energized before bar 58 has returned to -tsfstarting position under the Yinfluence of the spring 6e, it vvillnot be 'effective to swing switch lever |62 which-is 'latched out of position by the finger lii until 4rn'oven'ierlt of the feed bar to the extreme rightehand 'position in Fig. 20 releases shoulder |64 L'and therefore `freesV 'switch lever |52 to be swung against contact "I 8U by magnet |96.

Y `It will be seen that as each solenoid completes its pcwerstroke it effects its own deenergiz'ation and "also establishes certain electrical conditions necessary for the energization of the other solenoid which, however, does not occur until a mechanical release has been effected by the spring etliniof ysuch other solenoid to its initial position.

It will `be apparent that the invention may be in end-abutting relation by steps corresponding to the spacing of the slots past an assembly point, an inserting device at the assembly Apoint for taking successive transversale from a supply and inserting them in ranked slots, and means for imparting feeding strokes and inserting strokes to said devices respectively alternating with retracting strokes to `initial position and with said feeding and inserting strokes respectively in recurrent groups, each `of which. begins ,f and ends with a feeding stroke and within which the inserting strokes alternate with the feeding strokes whereby the points "of abutment of suce cesive ranks are advanced past the lassembly point while theinserting device is` idle.

2. Apparatus for assembling slotted partition strips comprising a feed mechanism for adv-ancing `step by step ranks of longitudinale, power means energizable to move said mechanism through a single stroke and means for thereafter repositioning said feed mechanism, a mechanism for inserting transversals in aligned slots of fa rank, power means energizable to move said inserting mechanism through a single stroke 4and means for thereafter repositioning the same, and means operated on the conclusion of the power stroke of each of the mechanisms respectively for `energizing the power means `of the other;

- 3. Apparatus for assembling slotted partition strips comprising a feed mechanism for advanc ing step by step ranks of longitudinale in. ur'li'nV terrupted succession, power means energizable to `move said mechanism through a single stroke and means for thereafter repositioning said feed mechanism, a mechanism for ,inserting transversale in aligned slots of rank, power means energiz'able to move `said inserting mecha` nism through a `single stroke, `means for there# after repositioning the same, `means A'operated on the conclusion 'of the power stroke of each of the mechanisms respectively for `energizing the power means of the other, and fm'eans responsive to a plurality of strokes of the Tfe'ed mechanism for periodically intermitting the ner'gi'zation fof the power means which operates th inserting mechanism. Y

`4. Apparatus for -aseibliil-'g slotted partit-ion strips comprising a reciproeating lfifeinber l:hav-k ing longitudinally "spaced pal/VIS- fbl' Oplt' Ag" with the slots of longitudinale for ailv riding successive ranks thereof in endiab'uttd el ion to en assembly point, e device at the assembly point for taking successive transversale "from a supply and inserting 'ranked Vslots;

an actuator effecting successive reciprocating strokes of the member, an ac ator for effecting successive operation of said 'device out of ljphase with the strokes ofthe said lniemb'er and a=go"v erm'ng device lnteririitting at intervals the opta` ation 'of said transversal inserting' device where@ bythe pointsfof contact of successive are 11'? advanced past the inserting device without operation of the latter.

5. Apparatus for assembling slotted partition strips comprising a feed mechanism for advancing step by step ranks of longitudinals in uninterrupted succession, power means for actuating the same, a mechanism for inserting transversals in aligned slots of a rank, power means for actuating the same, and means responsive to a plurality of movements of said feed mechanism for periodically intermitting the actuation of the inserting mechanism.

6. Apparatus for assembling slotted partition strips comprising a reciprocating member having pawls for advancing step by step ranks of longitudinals in unbroken succession by cooperation of the pawls with the slots thereof, a solenoid for operating the member in one direction and a return spring, a ram for driving transversals into aligned slots of a rank, a solenoid for operating the ram in one direction and a return spring, the circuit of each solenoid comprising a switch which is opened as the member actuated by the solenoid completes its stroke under the power of the solenoid, and a switch which is closed responsvely to the completion of the power stroke of the other solenoid.

"7. Apparatus for assembling slotted partition strips comprising av reciprocating member having pawls for advancing step by step ranks of longitudinals in unbroken succession by cooperation of the pawls with the slots thereof, a solenoid for operating the member in one direction and a return spring, a ram for driving transversale into aligned slots of a rank, a solenoid for operating the ram in one direction and a return spring, and a wiring system including a circuit for each solenoid comprising a switch which is opened as the member actuated by the solenoid completes its stroke under the power of the solenoid, and a Y switch which is closed responsively to the completion of the power stroke of the other solenoid, the wiring system including also a switch having two contacts from the rst of which it is shifted to the second on periodically recurring actuations of the reciprocating member and from which second contact it is returned to the rst when said periodically recurring actuations have been completed, the removal of the switch from the first contact being effective to deenergize the circuit of the ram-operating solenoid and the engagement of the switch with the second contact being effective to cause energization of the operating circuit of the other solenoid whereby the points of contact of successive ranks are advanced past the ram without operation of the ram on a transversal.

' 8. Apparatus for assembling slotted partition strips comprising a feed mechanism for advancing step by step ranks ci longitudinals past an assembly point, a reciprocating mechanism for inserting transversals in aligned slots at said point, solenoids for imparting power strokes to said mechanisms respectively, means for returning them to initial position,rmeans operated at the conclusion of the power stroke of each solenoid for deenergizing that solenoid, and cooperatl2 through a single stroke and means for thereafter repositioning said feed mechanism, a mechanism for inserting transversals in aligned slots of a rank, power means energizable to move said inserting mechanism through a single stroke and' means for thereafter repositioning the same, means operated on the conclusion of the power stroke of each of said mechanisms respectively to energize the power means of the other, and auxiliary means for preventing such energization of either mechanism until the completion of the repositioning movement thereof.

l0. Apparatus for assembling slotted partition strips comprising a reciprocating member having pawls for advancing step by step ranks of lungi-- tudinals in unbroken succession by cooperation of the pawls with the slots thereof. a solenoid for operating the member in one direction and-a return spring, a ram for driving transversals into aligned slots of a rank, a solenoid for operating the ram in one direction and a return spring, the circuit of eachV solenoid comprising a switch which is opened as the member actuated by the solenoid completes its stroke under the power of the solenoid, and a switch which is closed responsively to the completion of the power stroke of the other solenoid, a latch to hold open that switch in the circuit of the solenoid operating the reciprocating member which is normally closed on completion of the power stroke of the ram, and a tripper moving with the reciprocating member along a path which moves it against the latch on the return of the reciprocating member to itsstarting position to thereby release the latch.

l1. A power operated machine for vhandling strips which includes a magazine for receiving a column of strips contacting side by side, means tending to advance the strips toward one end of the column, means to extract from the column a set of strips the positions of which therein are determinately spaced because of the presence between them of other strips of the column, the column thereafter closing up by movementr of the remaining strips toward one end of the magazine, means controlling the supply of power to the machine and a feeler in that end of the magazine normally displaced by `the pressure of the column and which, when released from such pressure moves to effect actuation of said controlling means to shut down the machine.

12. A machine for assembling slotted partition strips comprising a table over which a rank of longitudinals is advanced to an assembly point, a magazine for supporting a stack or column of longitudinals transversely and below the level of the same, a feeding device having pawls for ccoperating with the slots of a rank of strips in spaced planes transversely of the table reciprocating opposite the magazine and table respectively, and means for raising at intervals strips in the magazine into the path of the former pawls.

13. A machine for assembling slotted partition.

strips comprising a table over which a rank of l longitudinals is advanced to an assembly point.

ing means controlled respectively by the conclusion of the power stroke of each solenoid and by the completion of the return stroke of the other solenoid for energizing said other solenoid.

9. Apparatus for assembling slotted partition strips comprising a feed mechanism for advancing step by step ranks of longitudinals, power means energizable to move said mechanism a magazine for supporting a stack or column of longitudinals transversely and below the level of' the same, means whereby theelements of the stack are urged toward one base of the stack, means for advancing over the table a rank of longitudnals delivered from the magazine onto the table to be Vsupported by the latter, means for transferring from the column a rank of longitudinals to the surface of the table to be supported thereby, and intermittently acting means to raise the elements of such rank into the'path of said transferring means, the column closing up beneath said transferring means when said raising means retreats and the rank is withdrawn onto the table.

14. A machine for handling strips which includes a magazine for receiving a stack or column of strips contacting side by side, two sets of devices iwhich move in planes spaced along the altitude of the column, the two sets moving in relatively transverse directions, each transverse to said altitude, one serving to move a rank of strips into the path of the other which withdraws them from the column.

l5. A machine for assembling slotted partition strips comprising a table over which a rank of longitudinals is advanced to an assembly point, a magazine for supporting a stack or column of longitudinals transversely and below the level of the same, a feeding device having pawls for cooperating with the slots of a rank of strips in spaced planes transversely of the table reciprocating opposite the magazine and table respectively, and means for raising at intervals strips in the magazine into the path of the former p-awls comprising pushers underlying the magazine and in planes corresponding to the desired spacing of the rank, cams for operating the pushers to raise a rank of strips from between their companions in the stack, and means for actuating said cams in timed relation to the feeding device.

14 16. A machine for assembling slotted partition strips comprising a table over which a rank of longitudinale is advanced to an assembly point, a magazine for supporting a stack or column of longitudinals transversely and below the level of the same. pushers underlying the magazine and in planes corresponding to the desired spacing of the rank, cams for operating the pushers to raise a rank of strips from between their companions in the stack to bring their lower edges to the level of the table, a feeding mechanism to engage the upper portions of the strips so raised to transfer them from their positions in the stack to the surface of the table, and means ifor driving the cams and feeding mechanism in timed relation.

DANIEL R. VAIL.

ROBERT A. DE LUCA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,237,099 Gillian et al. Apr. 1, 1941 2,355,461 Nichols Aug. 8, 1944 

